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Councils agree to support the creation of a local bank to support the local economy

Both South Hams District and West Devon Borough Councillors have pledged their support for the creation of a local financial institution, a local bank for local people.

The new venture, which is yet to be named, would be the first ever high street bank dedicated to Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset (Subject to regulatory approvals).

The bank, known for now as South West Mutual, would be owned by its members and would pursue only what is in the customers’ best interests. Unlike national financial institutions, the Mutual would not engage in financial speculation, or pay huge bonuses to staff for selling financial products.

Cllr John Tucker, Leader of South Hams District Council, explains why the Council is supporting this initiative: “I am really interested by this proposal and the benefits it could offer our communities. We all know that the local branches are being lost at an astonishing rate, making it more difficult for older and more vulnerable people and trading businesses to access their finance or seek support. The South Hams has lost 13 bank branches since 2015, leaving major towns such as Dartmouth without any banks at all. We understand that banks have to move with the times and more business is done online, but who will support our high streets and market towns in the future?”

“We also know that our SME businesses can find it difficult to get funding. This proposal would see a new kind of banking institution, one that is not tied to the costly overheads of the National banks, who can use the latest technology because it is starting from scratch. We welcome the commitment of South West Mutual to be a permanent presence in the region and to serve our residents and businesses by building a branch network.”

Cllr Philip Sanders, Leader of West Devon Borough Council said: “Councils do not want to get into the business of banking but it is our business to support a thriving economy in West Devon.

We recognise that South West Mutual’s mission to serve our residents and smaller businesses and its commitment to financial inclusion are closely aligned with West Devon Borough Council’s own objectives and strategy and so we are delighted to be able to support them in the early stages of their application for a banking licence.”

Both Councils agree that this is one way that they can use some of the money generated from the Business Rates pilot to support the local economy without using money that has come from Council Tax Payers.

Each council will invest £50,000 to help support the formation of the new entity. The proposal is not without risk, but without the funding, the proposed benefits to the local economy may never be realised.

South Hams and West Devon are the two first local authorities in the area to pledge their support, leading the way for others who have also expressed an interest in this venture. More information can be found at: https://southwestmutual.co.uk/

Last year on Britain’s roads an average of five people were killed and more than 460 injured every single day in road traffic collisions. Far too many lives are being risked or ruined due to inconsiderate, dangerous drivers who have a blatant disregard for their own safety and that of others when they ignore the law.
It’s important we continue to educate road users on safety but enforcement is also part of the solution.
Fines and fixed penalty notices should act as a deterrent and to penalise occasions when less serious offences occur. But this must go hand in hand with more police enforcement to make sure the law abiding majority feel safe and confident using our roads.
The money generated by fixed penalty fines and other motoring offences goes to HM Treasury – not to the police, councils or highways authorities whose job it is to keep our roads safe. I don’t think this is fair. If police forces were able to raise more revenues, they would be able to invest in new road safety enforcement and education officers like the No Excuse team.
Also, the fines for some offences is out of kilter with the harm caused. The penalty for those caught using a handheld mobile phone while driving doubled to a £200 fine and six points last year to reflect the severity of the crime and public concern, and the maximum fine for those admitting littering from a car rose to £150, yet the fixed penalty charge for speeding remains at £100 and three points.
As Police and Crime Commissioner, I am calling for the fixed penalty fines for some traffic offences to be increased to act as a greater deterrent and, importantly, that this additional revenue is passed directly into local road safety measures with a priority given to enforcement.
But I want to hear what you think. Please take time to answer a short survey to let us know your views (this should take no longer than two minutes) https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/BKHM567

Thank you
Alison Hernandez
Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon and Cornwall
http://www.devonandcornwall-pcc.gov.uk/

A new multi million pound contact has been approved by South Hams District Council for recycling, waste and cleansing services enabling the Council to save over £3 million pounds over the life of the contract and improving our environmental impact. The new services will be delivered to a high standard from 1st April 2019 as part of a new partnership agreement with a private company.

This is a brave new step for the South Hams who have provided these services through the Council’s own workforce for many years. The decision was made following a very intensive and thorough tendering process lasting almost two years. This included robust market testing giving full consideration to every single element of the current services to ensure best value and best quality for residents.

The staff who currently collect the waste and recycling and clean the district will transfer to the new partner company, whose name will be announced on the 18th December following the formal 10 day legal “standstill” period. South Hams District Council have ensured that their valued workforce will continue to provide services with protected terms and conditions and without the need for redundancies.

The future service will offer householders the opportunity to recycle even more of our household waste from the kerbside from September 2020.

Cllr Rufus Gilbert, Executive Member for Commercial Services said: “We have been listening to what residents wanted – more items being recycled and a continued focus on keeping our beautiful district clean and this will be delivered through the new arrangement at a better price. This new contract will enable us to continue improving recycling and street services throughout the term of the contract.”

Devon & Cornwall Police has a simple message to all drivers this Christmas – don’t risk driving if you’ve had even one drink or have taken drugs.
Inspector Peter Thomas of the Alliance Roads Policing Team, said: “Alcohol and drugs impair many of the functions necessary for safe driving; reaction times and spatial awareness are affected significantly. This may still be the case the morning after, depending on how much alcohol you consumed the night before and when you stopped drinking.
“If police think you are unfit to drive through consumption of alcohol, even if your breath test registers lower than the prescribed limit of 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 milliliters of breath you can still be arrested and may be charged with an offence. In short, you do not have to be drunk to be a drink driver. Don’t risk it.
“It’s not just you that’s at risk. You could kill or seriously injure another person. Drink and drug driving destroys people’s lives and those of their families. Avoiding this happening is as simple as planning ahead, leaving the car at home and using a taxi, public transport or designated driver to get home.”
Alison Hernandez, Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon and Cornwall, said: “This summer my team spoke to over 5,000 people about all forms of irresponsible road use and drink driving was one of their main issues.
“We know that more people risk drinking and driving over the Christmas period but if you’re thinking of doing that I want to tell you that because we’ve invested more resources in roads policing this year you’re more likely to get caught. The consequences of that for you and the people you love can be devastating.”
Between 1 December 2018 and 1 January 2019 a number of special operations, in addition to vigilant day to day roads policing, have been organised by the now enhanced Alliance Roads Policing team, Alliance Roads Policing Specials and No Excuse team, working with armed response vehicle (ARV) police officers and neighbourhood policing teams and in partnership with Highways England and the Peninsula Road Safety Partnership.
The force will not announce in advance where and when these are happening. These include Operation Tramline which uses an unmarked HGV cab, supplied by Highways England, to provide an unprecedented platform from which to spot offences; Operation Logjam which concentrates on speeding and the “morning after” when the roads are full of morning commuters and increased commercial traffic, and a range of local operations targeting morning after drivers and those who have been out drinking in the evening.
Sergeant Jon-Kerridge-Smith, leading the No Excuse team, said: “We are targeting irresponsible drivers.
“Breath tests will be taken from all drivers involved in collisions, irrespective of whether or not they suspect a drink driving offence. Drivers can also expect to be tested if stopped for an offence.”
Drugwipe sample kits will be used at the roadside on drivers suspected of being unfit to drive through drugs, and provide an instant result.
“Over the past decade, nationally, we’ve significantly reduced the number of people killed and seriously injured on our roads and we are passionate about ensuring we continue this downward trend. We will continue to do this through enforcement and education, making drivers think twice before they get behind the wheel after drinking or taking drugs.”
“I don’t want myself, or any of the Alliance roads policing officers, to have to knock on someone’s door this Christmas to break the devastating news that a father, mother, son, daughter or partner is never coming home again.”
If you are concerned about someone drinking and driving and it is going to happen immediately, call 999 or report anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Otherwise email 101@dc.police.uk
More information, and a range of downloadable posters and leaflets about drink driving can be found on the Devon & Cornwall Police website:www.dc.police.uk/drinkdriving

Detectives investigating a serious hit-and-run collision in Plymouth are asking for the public’s help to trace a car sought in connection with the offence.
A 25-year-old man sustained potentially life-changing injuries after being deliberately struck by a car in Stuart Road around 1.30am on Tuesday 27 November.
Detectives are investigating the incident as attempted murder and are seeking a white BMW in relation to their enquiries.
A police spokesman said: “The matter is now being treated as attempted murder and we are appealing for any witnesses to the offence.
“We are particularly keen to trace a white BMW 330 saloon, registration number WX10 BVO, in connection with this incident. This vehicle is likely to have front end damage. Furthermore we would like to hear from any garages or local car repair shops if this vehicle has been brought in with any damage.
“Anyone with dash cam footage, in particular taxi drivers, who were in the area of Mutley Plain, North Hill, Stuart Road and Alma Road between 1am and 2am that day are also requested to come forward.
“Lastly we are asking local business owners with external CCTV in those same areas to check whether they have footage of a white BMW and a grey saloon vehicle travelling at speed between those times.”
Anyone with information to assist with the enquiry is asked to contact police via 101@dc.police.uk or by phone on 101, quoting crime number CR/109778/18.
Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers via 0800 555111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org

Just a reminder that our Broadband User Survey closes on Sunday 9 December.

The survey aims to capture people’s broadband needs and compare whether these needs are being met by the service they receive. The survey is open to all residents and businesses within Devon and Somerset and in addition to capturing the impact from the new infrastructure, it will help us identify the broadband needs across our counties and the data will influence our future Digital Strategy.

Our Broadband User Survey asks questions about current available speeds, what homes or businesses can and cannot do with their existing broadband and the levels of satisfaction with their provider. The survey typically takes about five minutes to complete online and can be found at www.connectingdevonandsomerset.co.uk/broadband-user-survey.

We are keen for the survey to be completed by as many local residents and businesses as possible so please feel free to share the survey link to help promote it and bring it to the awareness of their local communities.

IRIS programme rolls out across Devon and Torbay
A national programme to help GPs identify patients experiencing domestic abuse or sexual violence and refer them to specialist support services is being rolled out across Devon and Torbay.

Identification and Referral to Improve Safety (IRIS) is a successful general-practice based domestic abuse and sexual violence training and referral programme developed and coordinated by the social enterprise, IRISi.

DEFRA has announced this year’s bathing water quality results and all twelve South Hams District Council owned beaches have achieved Excellent or Good.

South Hams bathing waters have consistently achieved high ratings in the annual water quality tests, and all beaches have also met stringent bathing water quality standards.

The most significant improvement in this year’s results was the improvement at Wembury. Last year this beach received a “sufficient” rating but this has now improved to “Good.”

Cllr Nicky Hopwood, Executive Member for Environmental Health at South Hams District Council, said: “This is an excellent set of results and really reflects the effort South Hams puts into looking after our stunning coastline. With the good weather this year bringing more and more visitors to the South Hams, it’s great to know that they were enjoying bathing water that was safe and clean for them.”

“Hopefully these ratings will continue to encourage residents and tourists alike to visit the wonderful coastline we’re lucky enough to have here.”

Despite the damage from Storm Emma and the significant disruption of the road works, Slapton Sands at both Torcross and Monument beaches maintained their “excellent” rating. Millbay, Salcombe, Thurlestone South, Challaborough and Bovisand were also rated excellent.